System and Method for Downloading Files

ABSTRACT

A passenger entertainment system for use on aircraft and other types of vehicles and methods for manufacturing and using same. The entertainment system comprises a mobile entertainment apparatus that can communicate with a database system having at least one file library. When communicating with the database system, the entertainment apparatus can select and download one or more files from the file libraries. Once the selected files have been downloaded, the entertainment apparatus can present the files regardless of whether communication with the database system is maintained. If the entertainment apparatus is installed in a vehicle, for example, a passenger in the vehicle can download the files during travel to a portable personal entertainment system, which can retain the files even if disconnected from the entertainment apparatus. The passenger thereby can view the files at any time, including after disembarking the vehicle, by removing the personal entertainment system from the vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of co-pending U.S.Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 10/772,565, filed on Feb. 4, 2004,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/476,071, filed on Jun. 4, 2003. Priority to each of the priorapplications is expressly claimed, and the disclosures of theapplications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to entertainment systems andmore particularly, but not exclusively, to passenger entertainmentsystems for use on aircraft and other types of vehicles.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles, such as automobiles and aircraft, often provide entertainmentsystems to satisfy passenger demand for entertainment while traveling.

Conventional passenger entertainment systems include overhead cabinviewing systems or seatback viewing systems with individual controlssuch that viewing content is selectable by the passengers. The viewingcontent can include audio and video materials that are derived from avariety of sources. Prerecorded viewing content, such as motion picturesand music, can be provided by internal sources, such as audio and videoplayers, that are installed in the vehicle. External content sources cantransmit additional content, including live television programming, tothe entertainment systems via wireless communication systems.

Since travel schedules can be hectic and unpredictable, passengers oftencannot enjoy viewing content in its entirety. Viewing content can beinterrupted for numerous reasons during travel. For example, thebeginning portions of some live television programming may not beavailable for viewing because travel departure times do not necessarilycorrelate with the starting times of the programming. Once travel hasbeen completed, the passengers likewise are required to disembark beforethe viewing content has been completely presented. Such interruptions ofviewing content frequently are a source of passenger complaints.

In view of the foregoing, a need exists for an improved entertainmentsystem that overcomes the aforementioned obstacles and deficiencies ofcurrently-available entertainment systems.

SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure is directed toward an entertainment system thatis configured to download files from one or more database systems and topresent the downloaded files regardless of whether communication withthe database systems is maintained.

The entertainment system comprises one or more database systems and amobile entertainment apparatus. Each database system includes at leastone file library and is configured to communicate with the entertainmentapparatus. When in communication with one or more of the databasesystems, the entertainment apparatus can select one or more files fromthe available file libraries and can download the selected files. Oncethe selected files have been downloaded, the entertainment apparatus isconfigured to present the files regardless of whether communication withthe database systems is maintained.

Preferably comprising a mobile entertainment apparatus, theentertainment apparatus can be provided as a portable, handheld deviceand/or can be installed in a vehicle, such as an automobile or anaircraft. If the entertainment apparatus is installed in a vehicle, forexample, a passenger in the vehicle can download the selected filesduring travel. The files preferably are stored in a portable personalentertainment system, which is removably coupled with the entertainmentapparatus and which can retain the files even if disconnected from theentertainment apparatus. The passenger thereby can view the files at anytime, including after disembarking the vehicle once travel is completed,by removing the personal entertainment system from the vehicle.

Other aspects and features of the present disclosure will becomeapparent from consideration of the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary top-level block diagram of an embodiment of anentertainment system for downloading files.

FIG. 2A is an exemplary block diagram illustrating one embodiment of adatabase system and an entertainment apparatus for the entertainmentsystem of FIG. 1 in which the database system and the entertainmentapparatus are coupled via a wired communication system.

FIG. 2B is an exemplary block diagram illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the database system and the entertainment apparatus ofFIG. 2A in which the database system and the entertainment apparatus arecoupled via a wireless communication system.

FIG. 3A is an exemplary block diagram illustrating one embodiment of anentertainment apparatus for the entertainment system of FIG. 1 in whichthe entertainment apparatus is configured to communicate with aplurality of database systems.

FIG. 3B is an exemplary block diagram illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the entertainment apparatus of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is an exemplary block diagram illustrating one embodiment of auser interface for the entertainment system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B is an exemplary block diagram illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the user interface of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary block diagram illustrating an entertainmentapparatus for the entertainment system of FIG. 1 in which theentertainment apparatus includes a plurality of user interfaces.

FIG. 6A is an exemplary block diagram illustrating one embodiment of theuser interface of FIG. 4A in which the user interface includes apersonal entertainment system.

FIG. 6B is an exemplary block diagram illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the user interface of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a detail drawing illustrating one embodiment of theentertainment system of FIG. 1 in which the entertainment apparatus isinstalled in an automobile.

FIG. 7B is a detail drawing illustrating an alternative embodiment ofthe entertainment system of FIG. 7A in which the entertainment apparatusis installed in an aircraft.

FIG. 8A is a detail drawing illustrating one embodiment of the userinterface of FIGS. 4A-B in which the entertainment apparatus isinstalled in a vehicle and has an interface video system that includesat least one overhead display system.

FIG. 8B is a detail drawing illustrating an alternative embodiment ofthe user interface of FIG. 8A in which the interface video systemincludes a combination of overhead display systems and seatback displaysystems.

FIG. 8C is a detail drawing illustrating another alternative embodimentof the user interface of FIG. 8A in which the interface video systemincludes at least one seatback display system.

FIG. 8D is a detail drawing illustrating another alternative embodimentof the user interface of FIG. 8A in which the user interface includes apersonal entertainment system.

It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale and thatelements of similar structures or functions are generally represented bylike reference numerals for illustrative purposes throughout thefigures. It also should be noted that the figures are only intended tofacilitate the description of the preferred embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The figures do not describe every aspect of the presentdisclosure and do not limit the scope of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Since currently-available entertainment systems have limited filedownloading capabilities, an entertainment system that provides a widerange of downloading capabilities and that permits passengers to retaindownloaded files upon disembarking can prove much more desirable andprovide a basis for a wide range of entertainment system applications,such as passenger entertainment systems for use on aircraft and othertypes of vehicles. This result can be achieved, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure, by employing an entertainmentsystem 100 as shown in FIG. 1.

The entertainment system 100 comprises at least one database system 200each being configured to communicate with a mobile entertainmentapparatus 300. Each database system 200 is configured to store andprovide one or more file libraries (not shown). Being available fordownloading to the entertainment apparatus 300, the file libraries cancomprise any suitable type of files and can be provided in anyappropriate analog and/or digital file format. Although the filelibraries may be provided in any uncompressed format, the file librarieslikewise can be provided in a compressed format to facilitate filedownloads.

The file libraries, for example, can have entertainment files, includingaudio files, such as music or audio books, and/or video files, such asmotion pictures, television programming, or any other type ofaudiovisual work. Illustrative file formats for the video files includeAudio Video Interleave (AVI) format, Joint Photographic Experts Group(JPEG) format, and Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) format; whereas,Waveform (WAV) format and MPEG Audio Layer 3 (MP3) format compriseexemplary formats for the audio files. As desired, other types of files,including application software files, such as media player programs orgames, and/or textual files, such as forms or reference materials, canbe included in the database system 200. Application software filestypically are provided in an executable (EXE) format, and exemplary fileformats for the textual files include document text file (DOC) format,Portable Document Format (PDF), and text file (TXT) format.

The entertainment apparatus 300 preferably comprises a mobileentertainment apparatus, being, for example, installed in a vehicle,such as an automobile or an aircraft, and/or provided as a portable,handheld device. When in communication with one or more of the databasesystems 200, the entertainment apparatus 300 is configured to select oneor more files from the available file libraries and to download theselected files, preferably in real-time. Once the selected files havebeen downloaded, the entertainment apparatus 300 can store the files andcan present the files regardless of whether communication with thedatabase systems 200 is maintained.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the entertainment apparatus 300 can have atleast one user interface 400 for selecting the files from the databasesystems 200 and for controlling the download of the selected files tothe entertainment apparatus 300. Presentation of the files likewise canbe controllable via the user interface 400. If the entertainmentapparatus 300 is installed in a vehicle 800 (shown in FIGS. 7A-B), forexample, the user interface 400 preferably includes a personalentertainment system 600 (shown in FIGS. 6A-B) for storing andpresenting the files. Being removably coupled with the entertainmentapparatus 300, the personal entertainment system 600 can retain thefiles even if disconnected from the entertainment apparatus 300.Thereby, the files can be downloaded during travel and presented at anytime, including after travel is completed, by removing the personalentertainment system 600 from the vehicle 800.

The entertainment system 100 can be provided in any suitable manner,such as via one or more hardware components and/or software components.Turning to FIG. 2A, for example, the entertainment system 100A is shownas comprising a database system 200A and an entertainment apparatus300A. Although shown and described as having one database system 200Aand one entertainment apparatus 300A for purposes of illustration, it isunderstood that the entertainment system 100A can include any number ofdatabase systems 200A and entertainment apparatuses 300A. In the mannerdiscussed in more detail above regarding the database system 200 (shownin FIG. 1), the database system 200A is configured to store and provideone or more file libraries (not shown). Each file library can compriseany suitable type of files and is available for downloading to theentertainment apparatus 300A in the manner described above withreference to FIG. 1.

The database system 200A can be configured to communicate with theentertainment apparatus 300A in any suitable manner such thatcommunications signals 510 can be exchanged between the database system200A and the entertainment apparatus 300A. For example, the databasesystem 200A and the entertainment apparatus 300A can be coupled via acommunication system 500, such as communication bus 500A illustrated inFIG. 2A. Comprising a wired communication system, the communication bus500A can be configured to substantially fixedly and/or removably couplethe database system 200A and the entertainment apparatus 300A and cancomprise any suitable type of wired communication system, such as one ormore communication cables and/or computer networks, including a localarea networks (LANs) and/or wide area networks (WANs), of any kind.

The database system 200A can be directly or indirectly coupled with thecommunication system 500. For example, the database system 200A shown inFIG. 2A is coupled with, and configured to communicate with, thecommunication system 500 via a communication interface 210A. Thecommunication interface 210A is disposed substantially between thedatabase system 200A and the communication system 500 and is configuredto facilitate the exchange of the communications signals 510 between thedatabase system 200A and the communication system 500, and, therefore,the entertainment apparatus 300A. If the communication system 500comprises a telephone network (not shown), for example, thecommunication interface 210A can comprise a modem for coupling thedatabase system 200A with the telephone network. Although shown anddescribed as being disposed substantially within the database system200A, the communication interface 210A can be disposed substantiallywithin, or separate from, the database system 200A.

The communication signals 510 exchanged between the database system 200Aand the entertainment apparatus 300A can comprise any suitable type ofcommunication signals and include one or more outgoing communicationsignals 510 a and/or incoming signals 510 b. The entertainment apparatus300A is configured to transmit the outgoing communication signals 510 ato the database system 200A. Illustrative types of outgoingcommunication signals 510 a include instructions and queries.Instructions for selecting one or more files from the file libraries andinstructions for controlling the download of the selected files to theentertainment apparatus 300 are exemplary instructions. Typical queriesinclude queries to verify that the entertainment apparatus 300A cancommunicate with the database system 200A and/or queries to ascertainsystem information, such as an operational status and/or file librarycontent, concerning the database system 200A.

The entertainment apparatus 300A likewise can provide various types ofinformation to the database system 200A via the outgoing communicationsignals 510 a. The information typically is provided by theentertainment apparatus 300A in response to an information request, suchas an instruction and/or a query, from the database system 200A. Asdesired, the entertainment apparatus 300A can be configured toautomatically provide the information when communications with thedatabase system 200A are initiated, for example, to negotiate acommunication connection between the entertainment apparatus 300A andthe database system 200A. The provided information can include systeminformation, such as an operational status and/or available memory, forthe entertainment apparatus 300A. Transaction information, includingpayment information, such as a credit card number, and/or authorizationinformation, such as a personal identification number (PIN) or apassword, can be provided by the entertainment apparatus 300A. It willbe appreciated that the entertainment apparatus 300A can transmit othertypes of information to the database system 200A, as desired.

Similarly, the database system 200A is configured to transmit theincoming communication signals 510 b to the entertainment apparatus300A. Like the outgoing communication signals 510 a described above, theincoming communication signals 510 b can include one or moreinstructions, queries, and/or other types of information. Illustrativequeries include queries to verify that the database system 200A cancommunicate with the entertainment apparatus 300A and/or queries toascertain the system information for the entertainment apparatus 300A.

In the manner described above with reference to the entertainmentapparatus 300A, the database system 200A can provide various types ofinformation to the entertainment apparatus 300A via the incomingcommunication signals 510 b. The database system 200A can provide theinformation in response to a request, such as an instruction and/or aquery, from the entertainment apparatus 300A and/or automatically uponinitiation of communications with the entertainment apparatus 300A. Theinformation can include the system information for the database system200A, one or more library files selected for download, and/or a catalogof the file libraries available on the database system 200A. The catalogcan provide information, such as a title, a file size, a download fee, acontent description, a content rating, and parental labeling guidelinerequirements, about the files in the available file libraries. If adownload fee is associated with a preselected file, the information canindicate whether a sample portion of the preselected file can bedownloaded for free such that the content of the file can be previewedprior to purchase.

The database system 200A preferably is configured to requireauthorization prior to permitting access to the library files. Thedatabase system 200A, for example, can condition library file accessupon receipt of valid authorization information and/or transactioninformation from the entertainment apparatus 300A. As desired, thedatabase system 200A can process the transaction information bycalculating the total download fees and/or by processing the paymentinformation. The database system 200A likewise can generate atransaction report, which can be downloadable from the database system200A and/or forwarded to a billing address associated with thetransaction information.

If the entertainment system 100A is configured to permit theentertainment apparatus 300A to upload files to the database system200A, the outgoing communication signals 510 a can comprise one or morefiles to be uploaded as well as file information about the files. Forexample, the file information can include information, such as a title,a file size, a content description, and a content rating, about thefiles and can be utilized to facilitate storing the uploaded files inthe appropriate file libraries of the database system 200A. The databasesystem 200A likewise can provide incoming communication signals 510 b tothe entertainment apparatus 300A, which incoming signals 510 b compriseinformation related to the status of the database system 200A to uploadthe files. The information can include the operational status and/oravailable memory, with regard to the database system 200A. To inhibitfiles with inappropriate content from being stored in the filelibraries, the database system 200A can provide information aboutacceptable content ratings to the entertainment apparatus 300A and/orinhibit the entertainment apparatus 300A from uploading files withinappropriate content.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the database system 200A includes a serversystem 220 for storing the file libraries and for providing selectedfile libraries to the entertainment apparatus 300A. Comprising aprocessing system 222 and a memory system 224, the server system 200 canbe provided as any type of server system. The server system 200typically includes one or more computer systems, such as personalcomputer systems, which are coupled, and configured to communicate, viaas a computer network, such as a local area network (LAN) and/or a widearea network (WAN), of any kind. Preferably, the server system 200 isconfigured to communicate with the Internet 230 such that the databasesystem 200A can provide content, including file libraries fromthird-party content providers, from the Internet 230. The server system200 can be configured to permit content to be added to, modified, and/ordeleted from the file libraries, as desired.

The memory system 224 is configured to store and provide at least aportion of the file libraries. The memory system 224 likewise can storeand provide other types of information, including instruction code, suchas software or firmware, intermediate calculation results, and otherinformation associated with the processing system 222 and/or performancedata related to the current and/or historical operational status of thedatabase system 200A. Preferably comprising a non-volatile memorysystem, the memory system 224 can comprise any suitable type of memorysystem, such as any electronic, magnetic, and/or optical storage media,without limitation. For example, exemplary storage media can include oneor more static random access memories (SRAMs), dynamic random accessmemories (DRAMs), electrically-erasable programmable read-only memories(EEPROMs), FLASH memories, hard drives (HDDs), compact disks (CDs),and/or digital video disks (DVDs) of any kind.

If the entertainment system 100A comprises a portable, handheld systemwith the database system 200A and the entertainment apparatus 300Adisposed within a common housing (not shown), for example, the memorysystem 224 preferably comprises electronic memory media because thehandheld system should have a small size and a light weight. Incontrast, the memory system 224 can include one or more mechanicaland/or optical media if the entertainment system 100A is installed in avehicle, such as an automobile, with mechanical and/or optical mediabeing located in a storage space, such as the trunk, of the vehicle.

Being coupled with, and configured to communicate with, the memorysystem 224, the processing system 222 can comprise any type ofprocessing system, such as one or more microprocessors (μPs), centralprocessing units (CPUs) and/or digital signal processors (DSPs) of anykind. The processing system 222 is configured to receive the outgoingcommunication signals 510 a provided by the entertainment apparatus 300Aand to perform one or more functions, as necessary, in response to theoutgoing communication signals 510 a. The processing system 222 canprovide the result of the functions to the memory system 224 and/or theentertainment apparatus 300A, as desired. For example, upon receiving aninstruction from the entertainment apparatus 300A to select one or morefiles from the file libraries for downloading, the processing system 222can execute an appropriate instruction set from the memory system 224.The processing system 222 thereby can identify the selected files in thememory system 224 and provide the selected files to the entertainmentapparatus 300A via the communication system 500.

The entertainment apparatus 300A can be coupled with, and configured tocommunicate with, the communication system 500 directly or indirectlyvia one or more intermediate systems, such as a communication interface310A as illustrated in FIG. 2A. The communication interface 310Apreferably is provided substantially in the manner discussed in moredetail above with reference to the communication interface 210A. Beingdisposed substantially between the entertainment apparatus 300A and thecommunication system 500, the communication interface 310A is configuredto facilitate the exchange of communications signals 510 between theentertainment apparatus 300A and the communication system 500, and,therefore, the database system 200A. Although the communicationinterface 310A is shown and described as being disposed substantiallywithin the entertainment apparatus 300A, the communication interface310A can be separate from the entertainment apparatus 300A.

The entertainment apparatus 300A has at least one user interface 400 forselecting the files from the database systems 200A and for controllingthe download of the selected files to the entertainment apparatus 300A.The user interface 400 can be coupled with, and configured tocommunicate with, the communication interface 310A and/or thecommunication system 500 directly or indirectly via one or moreintermediate systems. For example, the entertainment apparatus 300A isillustrated in FIG. 2A as being provided with a computer system 320 thatcouples the user interface 400 and the communication interface 310A.Although the computer system 320 is shown and described as beingsubstantially separate from the user interface 400, it will beappreciated that the computer system 320 can be disposed substantiallywithin the user interface 400.

The computer system 320 is configured to receive and processinstructions provided by the user interface 400 and/or the incomingcommunication signals 510 b provided by the database system 200A and toprovide the outgoing communication signals 510 a. Similarly, theincoming communication signals 510 b from the database system 200A canbe received and processed by the computer system 320. The computersystem 320 can process the incoming communication signals 510 b based atleast in part on the instructions provided by the user interface 400. Asdesired, the computer system 320 can provide the incoming communicationsignals 510 b, such as the incoming communication signals 510 b thatinclude downloaded files, to the user interface 400 for presentation.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the computer system 320 can include a processingsystem 322 that is coupled with, and configured to communicate with, amemory system 324. Comprising any suitable type of processing system inthe manner described in more detail above with reference to theprocessing system 222, the processing system 322 is configured toperform one or more functions, as necessary, on the instructions fromthe user interface 400 and/or the incoming communication signals 510 bprovided by the database system 200A. In the manner discussed above, theprocessing system 322 can perform the functions by receiving andexecuting a series of instructions, which can be provided in the form ofinstruction code that is stored in, and provided by, the memory system324. The processing system 322 can provide the result of the functionsto the user interface 400, the memory system 324, and/or the databasesystem 200A, as desired. For example, the processing system 322 canprovide the outgoing communication signals 510 a to the database system200A.

The memory system 324 is configured to store the selected filesdownloaded from the database system 200A and to provide the files to theuser interface 400 for presentation. In the manner described in moredetail above with reference to the memory system 224, the memory system324 can store and provide other types of information, includinginstruction code and other information associated with the processingsystem 322 and/or performance data related to the current and/orhistorical operational status of the entertainment apparatus 300A.Preferably comprising a non-volatile memory system, the memory system324 can comprise any suitable type of memory system, including anyelectronic, magnetic, and/or optical storage mediums in the mannerdescribed above regarding the memory system 224. The user interface 400preferably is configured to permit files to be added to, modified,and/or deleted from the memory system 324.

As will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 4A-B,each user interface 400 is configured to permit a user (not shown) tointeract with the entertainment system 100A and includes an input system410 (shown in FIG. 4A), an interface audio system 430 (shown in FIG.4A), and/or an interface video system 440 (shown in FIG. 4A). The inputsystem 410 permits the user to communicate the instructions, such asinstructions for selecting one or more files from the available filelibraries and/or instructions for controlling the presentation of theselected file, to the entertainment apparatus 300A. The interface audiosystem 430 and the interface video system 440 are respectivelyconfigured to present an audio portion and a video portion of thedownloaded files. Other information, such as a menu of file librariesavailable for downloading, can be presented to the user via theinterface system 400.

Turning to FIG. 2B, the exemplary entertainment system 100B includes adatabase system 200B that is configured to communicate with anentertainment apparatus 300B. Although shown and described as having onedatabase system 200B and one entertainment apparatus 300B for purposesof illustration, it is understood that the entertainment system 100B caninclude any number of database systems 200B and entertainmentapparatuses 300B. In the manner described above, the database system200B is configured to store and provide one or more file libraries (notshown), and each file library can comprise any suitable type of filesand is available for downloading to the entertainment apparatus 300B.

The database system 200B and the entertainment apparatus 300B can becoupled via a wireless communication system 500, such as the satellitesystem 500B illustrated in FIG. 2B. The satellite system 500B cancomprise any number of geostationary satellites (not shown), which areconfigured to communicate with a terrestrial station (not shown). Whenthe database system 200B and the entertainment apparatus 300B each arewithin transmission range of at least one of the satellites,communications signals 510 can be exchanged between the database system200B and the entertainment apparatus 300B via the satellite system 500B.Although shown and described as a satellite system 500B for purposes ofillustration, it is understood that the wireless communication system500 can comprise any suitable type of wireless communication system,such as a cellular communication system (not shown).

In the manner discussed above with regard to the database system 200A(shown in FIG. 2A), the database system 200B comprises a server system220 for storing the file libraries and for providing selected filelibraries to the entertainment apparatus 300B. The server system 220 isconfigured to receive and process outgoing communication signals 510 aprovided by the entertainment apparatus 300B and to provide incomingcommunication signals 510 b the manner discussed above with reference toFIG. 2A. The database system 200B preferably is configured tocommunicate with, and provide content from, the Internet 230 and topermit content to be added to, modified, and/or deleted from the filelibraries. The database system 200B is shown as being provided with acommunication interface 210B for facilitating the exchange of thecommunications signals 510 between the database system 200B and theentertainment apparatus 300B. Although shown and described as beingdisposed substantially within the database system 200B, thecommunication interface 210B can be disposed substantially within, orseparate from, the database system 200B.

Being disposed substantially between the database system 200B and thesatellite system 500B, the communication interface 210B includes anantenna system 212 that is coupled with, and configured to communicatewith, a transceiver system 214. The antenna system 212 and thetransceiver system 214 each can be provided in any suitable manner.Preferably having one or more antenna elements (not shown), the antennasystem 212 is configured to receive the outgoing communication signals510 b from the entertainment apparatus 300B via the satellite system500B. The antenna system 212 provides the outgoing communication signals510 b to the transceiver system 214, which can be configured to processthe outgoing communication signals 510 b as desired. Illustrativeprocesses include decoding, demodulating, and/or analog-to-digitalconverting the outgoing communication signals 510 b. Upon processing theoutgoing communication signals 510 b, the transceiver system 214provides the processed outgoing communication signals 510 b to theserver system 220.

The antenna system 212 likewise can transmit the incoming communicationsignals 510 a provided by the database system 200B. The server system220 provides the incoming communication signals 510 a to the transceiversystem 214, which is configured to process the incoming communicationsignals 510 a. For example, the transceiver system 214 can encode,modulate, and/or analog-to-digital convert the incoming communicationsignals 510 a as desired. The transceiver system 214 provides theprocessed incoming communication signals 510 a to the antenna system 212for transmission to the satellite system 500B. When the communicationsignals 510 are exchanged, the antenna system 212 is directedsubstantially toward one or more of the satellites in the satellitesystem 500B. The antenna system 212 preferably is coupled with anantenna controller (not shown) for steering the antenna system 212 suchthat the antenna system 212 can track the satellites in any known mannersuch as by locking onto the outgoing communication signals 510 btransmitted by the satellite system 500B.

Although shown and described as comprising the database system 200A inFIG. 2A and the database system 200B in FIG. 2B for purposes ofillustration, it is understood that the database system 200 (shown inFIG. 1) can comprise any type of database system and is not limited tothe illustrated embodiments. For example, the database system 220B canbe substantially integrated with the satellite system 500B. Statedsomewhat differently, the database system 220B can be disposedsubstantially within one or more of the geostationary satellites and/orthe terrestrial station that form the satellite system 500B. If thedatabase system 220B is disposed substantially within the geostationarysatellites, the communication signals 510, and therefore the selectedfiles, can be directly downloaded from the satellite system 500B to theentertainment apparatus 300B.

Turning to the entertainment apparatus 300B, the entertainment apparatus300B has a computer system 320 and at least one user interface 400, eachbeing provided in the manner discussed above regarding the entertainmentapparatus 300A (shown in FIG. 2A). In the manner described above, thecomputer system 320 is configured to receive and process instructionsprovided by the user interface 400 and/or the incoming communicationsignals 510 b provided by the database system 200A and to provide theoutgoing communication signals 510 a; whereas, the user interface 400 isconfigured to permit a user (not shown) to interact with theentertainment system 100B. The entertainment apparatus 300B is shown asbeing provided with a communication interface 310B for facilitating theexchange of the communications signals 510 between the database system200B and the entertainment apparatus 300B. Although shown and describedas being disposed substantially within the entertainment apparatus 300B,the communication interface 310B can be disposed substantially within,or separate from, the entertainment apparatus 300B.

The communication interface 310B is disposed substantially between theentertainment apparatus 300B and the satellite system 500B. Preferablybeing provided substantially in the manner discussed above withreference to the communication interface 310A, the communicationinterface 310B comprises an antenna system 312 that is coupled with, andconfigured to communicate with, a transceiver system 314. The antennasystem 312 is configured to receive incoming communication signals 510 afrom the database system 200B via the satellite system 500B and providesthe incoming communication signals 510 a to the transceiver system 314,which can be configured to process the incoming communication signals510 a. The transceiver system 314, for example, can decode, demodulate,and/or analog-to-digital convert the incoming communication signals 510a as desired. Upon processing the incoming communication signals 510 a,the transceiver system 314 provides the processed incoming communicationsignals 510 a to the computer system 320.

The outgoing communication signals 510 b provided by the computer system320 likewise can be transmitted by the antenna system 312 to thedatabase system 200B via the satellite system 500B. The computer system320 provides the outgoing communication signals 510 b to the transceiversystem 314, which processes the outgoing communication signals 510 b.Exemplary processes can include encoding, modulating, and/oranalog-to-digital converting the outgoing communication signals 510 b asdesired. The transceiver system 314 can provide the processed outgoingcommunication signals 510 b to the antenna system 312 for transmissionto the satellite system 500B. When the communication signals 510 areexchanged, the antenna system 312 is directed substantially toward oneor more of the satellites in the satellite system 500B. Since theentertainment apparatus is mobile, the antenna system 312 preferably iscoupled with an antenna controller (not shown) for steering the antennasystem 312 such that the antenna system 312 can track the satellites inany known manner such as by locking onto the incoming communicationsignals 510 a transmitted by the satellite system 500B. Although theentertainment apparatus 300 is shown as comprising the entertainmentapparatus 300A in FIG. 2A and the entertainment apparatus 300B in FIG.2B for purposes of illustration, it is understood that the entertainmentapparatus 300 (shown in FIG. 1) can comprise any type of entertainmentapparatus and is not limited to the illustrated embodiments.

It will be appreciated that the entertainment system 100 of FIG. 1 cancommunicate with a plurality of database systems 200, which can beprovided in any suitable combination and/or configuration. Asillustrated in FIGS. 3A-B, for example, the entertainment systems 100C,100D includes an entertainment apparatuses 300C, 300D that can beconfigured to be in wired communication with one or more databasesystems 200A and/or wireless communication with one or more databasesystems 200B. Turning to FIG. 3A, the entertainment system 100C includesthe entertainment apparatus 300C that is configured to communicationwith a database system 200A, a first database system 200B′, and a seconddatabase system 200B″. Being provided in the manner described above withreference to FIGS. 2A-B, each of the database systems 200A, 200B′, and200B″ is configured to store and provide one or more file libraries (notshown).

The entertainment apparatus 300C includes a computer system 320 and atleast one user interface 400, each being provided in the mannerdiscussed above regarding the entertainment apparatus 300A (shown inFIG. 2A). In the manner described above, the computer system 320 isconfigured to receive and process instructions provided by the userinterface 400 and/or communication signals 510 provided by one or moreof the database systems 200A, 200B′, and 200B″ and to providecommunication signals 510 to the database systems 200A, 200B′, and200B″. As shown in FIG. 3A, the database systems 200A, 200B′, and 200B″can be coupled with the computer system 320 substantially in a stararrangement. The user interface 400 is configured to permit a user (notshown) to interact with the entertainment system 100C. The entertainmentapparatus 300C can be in communication with any combination of thedatabase systems 200A, 200B′, and 200B″, depending, for example, uponthe availability of each database systems 200A, 200B′, and 200B″.

The entertainment apparatus 300C can include a communication interface310B′ for facilitating the exchange of the communications signals 510between the database systems 200B′, 200B″ and the entertainmentapparatus 300C. As shown in FIG. 3A, the communication interface 310B′includes a first antenna system 312′, which is coupled with, andconfigured to communicate with, a first transceiver system 314′, and asecond antenna system 312″, which is coupled with, and configured tocommunicate with, a second transceiver system 314″. The first and secondantenna systems 312′, 312″ each are provided in the manner describedabove with reference to the antenna system 312 (shown in FIG. 2B);whereas, the first and second transceiver systems 314′, 314″ can beprovided in the manner described above regarding the transceiver system314 (shown in FIG. 2B). As shown in FIG. 3A, the communication interface310B′ comprises a substantially separate communication interface foreach database systems 200B′, 200B″. Stated somewhat differently, thefirst antenna system 312′ and the first transceiver system 314′ areconfigured to exchange first communication signals 510′ between thefirst database system 200B′ and the entertainment apparatus 300C;whereas, the second antenna system 312″ and the second transceiversystem 314″ are configured to exchange second communication signals 510″between the second database system 200B″ and the entertainment apparatus300C.

In the manner set forth above with reference to the communicationinterface 310B (shown in FIG. 2B), the first antenna system 312′ isconfigured to receive first communication signals 510′ from the firstdatabase system 200B′. The first antenna system 312′ provides the firstcommunication signals 510′ to the first transceiver system 314′, whichprocesses the first communication signals 510′ and provides theprocessed first communication signals 510′ to the computer system 320.The first communication signals 510′ provided by the computer system 320likewise can be processed by the first transceiver system 314′ andtransmitted by the first antenna system 312′ to the first databasesystem 200B′.

Similarly, the second antenna system 312′ is configured to receivesecond communication signals 510″ from the second database system 200B″and to provide the second communication signals 510″ to the secondtransceiver system 314″. Upon processing the second communicationsignals 510″, the second transceiver system 314″ can provide theprocessed second communication signals 510″ to the computer system 320.The second communication signals 510″ provided by the computer system320 can be processed by the second transceiver system 314″ andtransmitted by the second antenna system 312″ to the second databasesystem 200B″. Thereby, the computer system 320 can be configured tocommunicate with each of the database systems 200A, 200B′, and 200B″.

Like the entertainment system 100C, the entertainment system 100D isshown in FIG. 3B as comprising the entertainment apparatus 300D, adatabase system 200A, a first database system 200B′, and a seconddatabase system 200B″. The entertainment apparatus 300D is configured tobe in wired communication with the database system 200A and in wirelesscommunication with the first and second database systems 200B′, 200B″.The database systems 200A, 200B′, and 200B″ each is provided in themanner described above with reference to FIG. 3A and is configured tostore and provide one or more file libraries (not shown).

Being provided in the manner described with reference to FIG. 3A, theentertainment apparatus 300C includes a computer system 320 and at leastone user interface 400. In the manner described above, the computersystem 320 is configured to receive and process instructions provided bythe user interface 400 and/or communication signals 510 provided by oneor more of the database systems 200A, 200B′, and 200B″ and to providecommunication signals 510 to the database systems 200A, 200B′, and200B″. As shown in FIG. 3A, the database systems 200A, 200B′, and 200B″can be coupled with the computer system 320 substantially in adaisy-chain, or series, arrangement whereby files downloaded from thefirst and second database systems 200B′, 200B″ are provided to thedatabase system 200A. The database system 200A thereby is configured tostore a copy, such as an archival copy, of the files downloaded from thefirst and second database systems 200B′, 200B″. The user interface 400is configured to permit a user (not shown) to interact with theentertainment system 100C. The entertainment apparatus 300C can be incommunication with any combination of the database systems 200A, 200B′,and 200B″, depending, for example, upon the availability of eachdatabase systems 200A, 200B′, and 200B″.

The entertainment apparatus 300D can be provided with a communicationinterface 310B″ for facilitating the exchange of the communicationssignals 510 with the database systems 200B′, 200B″. As shown in FIG. 3B,the communication interface 310B″ includes an antenna system 312, whichis coupled with, and configured to communicate with, a transceiversystem 314. The antenna system 312 and the transceiver system 314 arerespectively provided in the manners described above with reference tothe antenna system 312 (shown in FIG. 2B) and the transceiver system 314(shown in FIG. 2B). As shown in FIG. 3B, the communication interface310B″ comprises an integrated communication interface for coupling theentertainment apparatus 300D with the database systems 200B′, 200B″.

In the manner described above, the antenna system 312 is configured toreceive first communication signals 510′ from the first database system200B′ and/or second communication signals 510″ from the second databasesystem 200B″. The antenna system 312 provides the received communicationsignals 510′, 510″ to the transceiver system 314. The transceiver system314 processes the communication signals 510′, 510″ and provides theprocessed communication signals 510′, 510″ to the computer system 320.The communication signals 510′, 510″ provided by the computer system 320likewise can be processed by the transceiver system 314 and transmittedby the antenna system 312 to the respective database systems 200B′,200B″.

FIG. 4A illustrates the details of one embodiment of the user interface400 for the entertainment system 100 of FIG. 1. The exemplary userinterface 400A is configured to permit a user (not shown) to communicateand otherwise interact with the entertainment system 100 and includes aninput system 410 and an output system (not shown). The output system cancomprise an interface audio system 430 and/or an interface video system440. The user interface 400A can be integrated into, and/or separablefrom, the entertainment apparatus 300 (shown in FIG. 1).

The input system 410 permits the user to communicate instructions, suchas instructions for selecting one or more files from the available filelibraries and/or instructions for controlling the presentation of theselected file, to the entertainment apparatus 300. Typically comprisingone or more pushbuttons (not shown), such as a keyboard or a keypad,and/or a pointing device (not shown), such as a mouse or trackball, theinput system 410 can be provided in any suitable manner. As desired, theinput system 410 can be combined with one or more other systems of theuser interface 400A. The input system 410 and the interface video system440, for example, can be combined in the form of a touch screen.Further, if a fee is required for downloading and/or presenting filesvia the entertainment system 100, the input system 410 can include acredit card reader; otherwise, the user can provide his paymentinformation via the keyboard and/or pointing device.

The entertainment apparatus 300 is configured to communicate with theuser via the interface audio system 430 and/or the interface videosystem 440. The interface audio system 430 can audibly presentinformation to the user; whereas, the interface video system 440 canpresent information to the user visually. The interface system 400A canbe configured to present any type of information, including instructionsfor using the entertainment system 100, a catalog of file librariesavailable for download, and any downloaded files. For example, theinterface video system 440 can provide a graphical user interface (GUI)to facilitate interaction with the entertainment system 100 and/or aninteractive menu of the available file libraries, including filesavailable for downloading and/or files previously downloaded to theinterface system 400A. The interface system 400A thereby can assist theuser in selecting one or more files to be presented via theentertainment apparatus 300.

Once the user has made his selection and, as necessary, entered hispayment and/or authorization information, the entertainment apparatus300 can download the selected files. The interface audio system 430 andthe interface video system 440 are respectively configured to present anaudio portion and a video portion of the files. As desired, theentertainment apparatus 300 can provide additional functionality forcontrolling the presentation of the files. For example, the input system410 can be configured to rewind, fast forward, and/or pause thepresentation the files. The input system 410 likewise can include avolume control, mixing, equalization, and/or muting functions and/or canperform general file management functions, such as transferring and/ordeleting one or more of the files and can provide a file directory tofacilitate organization of the files. As desired, the input system 410can provide file editing functionality.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the interface audio system 430 includes an audiosystem 432 that is coupled with, and configured to communicate with, aspeaker system 434 and one or more audio communication ports. The audiocommunication ports can include one or more audio output ports 436,audio input ports 438, and/or microphone ports (not shown). Beingconfigured to receive the audio portion of the selected file, the audiosystem 432 can include one or more coder/decoders (CODECs), amplifiers,analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), mixers, and/or equalizers forprocessing the audio portion. The processed audio portion of theselected file can be audibly presented via the speaker system 434 and/ora secondary speaker system (not show), such as a set of head phones,that is coupled with the audio output port 436. Preferably, the mannerby which the audio portion is processed and/or audibly presented iscontrollably via the input system 410.

The interface video system 440 is illustrated in FIG. 4A as comprising avideo system 442 that is coupled with, and configured to communicatewith, a display system 444. The video system 442 can receive and processthe video portion of the selected file, which processed video portion isvisually presented via the display system 444. The display system 444can be configured to visually present graphical information and/ortextual information. The manner by which the video portion of theselected file is processed and/or visually presented preferably iscontrollably via the input system 410. Although preferably visuallypresented as a digital image, the visual portion can be converted by thevideo system 442 to an analog image that can be presented by the displaysystem 444.

The interface audio system 430 and the interface video system 440 arecoupled with, and configured to communicate with the input system 410via an interface processing system 420. The interface processing system420 is configured to receive and process instructions provided by theinput system 410 and/or the incoming communication signals 510 b (shownin FIGS. 2A-B) provided by a database system 200 (shown in FIG. 1) andto provide the outgoing communication signals 510 a (shown in FIGS.2A-B) to the database system 200. For example, the processes performedby the interface processing system 420 on the outgoing communicationsignals 510 b can include encoding, modulating, and/or analog-to-digitalconverting the outgoing communication signals 510 b; whereas, theincoming communication signals 510 a can be decoded, demodulated, and/ordigital-to-analog converted by the interface processing system 420.Being provided in the manner described in more detail above withreference to the computer system 320 (shown in FIGS. 2A-B), theinterface processing system 420 includes a processing system 422 and amemory system 424 and can be substantially integrated with, or separatefrom, the computer system 320.

The memory system 424 is coupled with, and configured to communicatewith, the processing system 422 and is configured to receive and storethe selected files downloaded from the database system 200 and, underthe control of the input system 410, to provide the files to theinterface audio system 430 and/or the interface video system 440 forpresentation. In the manner described in more detail above withreference to the memory system 324 (shown in FIG. 2A), the memory system424 can store and provide other types of information, includinginstruction code and other information associated with the processingsystem 422 and/or performance data related to the current and/orhistorical operational status of the user interface 400A. Preferablycomprising a non-volatile memory system, the memory system 424 cancomprise any suitable type of memory system, including any electronic,magnetic, and/or optical storage mediums in the manner described aboveregarding the memory system 324. The input system 410 preferably isconfigured to permit files to be added to, modified, and/or deleted fromthe memory system 424.

Comprising any suitable type of processing system in the mannerdescribed in more detail above with reference to the processing system322 (shown in FIG. 2A), the processing system 422 is configured toperform one or more functions, as necessary, on the instructions by theinput system 410 and/or the incoming communication signals 510 bprovided by the database system 200. In the manner discussed above, theprocessing system 422 can perform the functions by receiving andexecuting a series of instructions, which can be provided in the form ofinstruction code that is stored in, and provided by, the memory system424. The processing system 422 can provide the result of the functionsto the interface audio system 430, the interface video system 440, thememory system 424, and/or the database system 200, as desired. Forexample, the processing system 422 can provide the outgoingcommunication signals 510 a to the database system 200.

In the manner described above with reference to FIG. 1, theentertainment apparatus 300 can include a plurality of user interfaces400. The entertainment apparatus 300 typically will have more than oneuser interface 400 when installed in a vehicle 800 (shown in FIGS.7A-B). Each user interface 400 can be provided in the manner describedin more detail above with regard to the user interface 400A (shown inFIG. 4A). The user interfaces 400 can share one or more common interfaceelements, as desired. As illustrated in FIG. 4B, for example, anentertainment apparatus 300F has a plurality of user interfaces 400B.The user interfaces 400B each include an input system 410, an interfaceaudio system 430, and an interface video system 440 that are provided inthe manner described above with reference to the user interface 400A.The user interfaces 400B, however, are configured to share a commoninterface processing system 420.

Being provided in the manner described above with reference to theinterface processing system 420 (shown in FIG. 4A), the common interfaceprocessing system 420 couples the input system 410, the interface audiosystem 430, and the interface video system 440 for each user interface400B. For each user interface 400B, the common interface processingsystem 420 is further configured to receive and process instructionsprovided by the input system 410 and/or the incoming communicationsignals 510 b (shown in FIGS. 2A-B) provided by a database system 200(shown in FIG. 1) and to provide the outgoing communication signals 510a (shown in FIGS. 2A-B) to the database system 200 in the mannerdescribed above. For example, when installed in the vehicle 800 havingpassenger seats 810 (shown in FIGS. 7A-B) that are divided into rows,the entertainment apparatus 300F can advantageously provide eachpassenger seat 810 with the user interface 400B such that each row ofpassenger seats 810 shares a common interface processing system 420.

Turning to FIG. 5, an entertainment apparatus 300E is shown thatcomprises a database system 200A, a communication interface 310B that isconfigured to communicate with a database system 200B (shown in FIG.2B), a computer system 320, and a plurality of user interfaces 400. Thedatabase system 200A and the computer system 320 are provided in themanner described in more detail above with reference to FIG. 2A;whereas, the user interfaces 400 are provided in the manner set forthabove regarding the user interface 400A (shown in FIG. 4A). Thecommunication interface 310B is provided, and is configured tocommunicate with the database system 200B, in the manner discussed abovewith reference to FIG. 2B. As shown in FIG. 5, the database system 200A,the communication interface 310B, the computer system 320, and theplurality of user interfaces 400 are coupled, and configured tocommunicate, via a distribution system 330.

The distribution system 330 can comprise any type of distribution systemfor distributing communication signals 510 (shown in FIGS. 2A-B). Forexample, the distribution system 330 can be provided as an analogdistribution system, a digital distribution system, a modulateddistribution system, a fiber optic distribution system, a wireddistribution system, a wireless distribution system, and/or a broadbanddistribution system of any kind. In a preferred embodiment, the computersystem 320 and the distribution system 330 form a communication networkfor coupling the database system 200A and the communication interface310B with the user interfaces 400. The distribution system 330 isconfigured to receive the communication signals 510 (shown in FIGS.2A-B) from the database system 200A and/or the communication interface310B and to provide the communication signals 510 to the computer system320 and/or one or more of the user interfaces 400. The computer system320 and the user interfaces 400 can communicate via distribution system330 provide the communication signals 510 to the database system 200Aand/or the communication interface 310B.

If the entertainment apparatus 330E is installed on a vehicle 800 (shownin FIGS. 7A-B), for example, the distribution system 330 can compriseany suitable type of distribution, including a wired distributionsystem, in the manner discussed above. Preferably, the distributionsystem 330 is provided as a wireless local area network (WLAN) of anykind. Exemplary wireless local area networks include wireless fidelity(Wi-Fi) networks in accordance with Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE) Standard 802.11 and/or wirelessmetropolitan-area networks (MANs) in accordance with IEEE Standard802.16. Thereby, the database system 200A, the communication interface310B, the computer system 320, and the plurality of user interfaces 400can be coupled, and configured to communicate, without the weight andother drawbacks associated with wired communication systems that areinstalled in vehicles.

As desired, the entertainment apparatus 300E can be configured to storea copy, such as an archival copy, of the files downloaded via thecommunication interface 310B. The copy of the files can be stored, forexample, by the database system 200A and/or the computer system 320.Being provided in the manner described above with reference to FIG. 2A,the database system 200A includes a server system 220 (shown in FIG. 2A)with a memory system 224 (shown in FIG. 2A); whereas, the computersystem 320 includes a memory system 324 (shown in FIG. 2A). Preferablycomprising a non-volatile memory system, the memory systems 224, 324,can comprise any suitable type of memory systems, including anyelectronic, magnetic, and/or optical storage mediums in the mannerdescribed above. The copy of the files preferably is stored on an arrayof hard disks. Although shown and described as separate systems forpurposes of illustration, the database system 200A and the computersystem 320 can be combined to form a single system.

The user interfaces 400 can be divided into two or more interfacegroups. As shown in FIG. 5, the user interfaces 400 are associated withone of two user interface groups: a first interface group 400′; and asecond interface group 400″. The user interfaces 400 can be divided intothe interface groups 400′, 400″ based upon any criteria. If theentertainment apparatus 300E is installed on a vehicle 800 (shown inFIGS. 7A-B), for example, the first interface group 400′ can beassociated with a first class section of the vehicle 800; whereas, thesecond interface group 400″ can be associated with a coach class sectionof the vehicle 800. Similarly, the first and second interface groups400′, 400″ may be respectively associated with the operator andpassengers of the vehicle 800. The functionality of the user interfaces400 in the first interface group 400′ can differ from the functionalityof the user interfaces 400 in the second interface group 400″. Forexample, the user interfaces 400 associated the first class section ofthe vehicle 800 can access premium content that is not available to theuser interfaces 400 associated the coach class section. The userinterfaces 400 associated the coach class section likewise might requirepayment of a fee prior to permitting access to the entertainmentapparatus 300E; whereas, the user interfaces 400 associated the firstclass section may not require payment of the fee to access theentertainment apparatus 300E.

Returning to FIG. 4A, the illustrated user interface 400A includes oneor more communication ports 450. Each communication port 450 cancomprise any suitable type of communication port, including a wiredcommunication port, such as a universal serial bus (USB) communicationport, and/or a wireless communication port, such as an infrared (IR)communication port. Being configured to couple the user interface 400Awith a peripheral device (not shown), the communication port 450 iscoupled with, and configured to communicate with, the interfaceprocessing system 420. The peripheral device thereby can communicatewith the interface audio system 430 and the interface video system 440as well as with the database systems 200 via the entertainment apparatus300.

FIG. 6A illustrates a user interface 400C that includes a personalentertainment system 600A. The personal entertainment system 600Apreferably comprises a portable personal entertainment system, such as alaptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a MPEG AudioLayer 3 (MP3) device. As shown in FIG. 6A, the personal entertainmentsystem 600A includes an input system 610, an audio system 630, a videosystem 640, a memory system 660, and/or a communication port 650A, eachbeing coupled, and configured to communicate, via a processing system620. The input system 610 permits a user to communicate instructions tothe personal entertainment system 600A. Typically comprising one or morepushbuttons (not shown), such as a keyboard or a keypad, and/or apointing device (not shown), such as a mouse, trackball, or stylus, theinput system 610 can be provided in any suitable manner.

As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the communication port 650A of the personalentertainment system 600A can be removably coupled with a communicationport 450A of the user interface 400C via a wired communication system700, such as a communication bus 700A. The personal entertainment system600A and the user interface 400C thereby are configured to exchangecommunication signals 710. By coupling the personal entertainment system600A with the user interface 400C, the input system 610 can communicateinstructions to the entertainment apparatus 300 (shown in FIG. 1) in themanner described above with reference to the input system 410 (shown inFIG. 4A). As a result, the user can employ the input system 610 toaccess the available database systems 200 (shown in FIG. 1), to selectone or more files from the available file libraries, and/or to controlthe presentation of the selected files.

In the manner described above regard the interface audio system 430(shown in FIG. 4A) and the interface video system 440 (shown in FIG.4A), the entertainment apparatus 300 is configured to communicate withthe user via the audio system 630 and/or the video system 640 of thepersonal entertainment system 600A. The audio system 630 can audiblypresent information to the user; whereas, the video system 640 canpresent information to the user visually. In the manner described abovewith reference to the user interface 400A (shown in FIG. 4A), thepersonal entertainment system 600A can be configured to present any typeof information, including instructions for using the entertainmentsystem 100, a catalog of file libraries available for download, and anydownloaded files. For example, the video system 640 can provide agraphical user interface (GUI) to facilitate interaction with theentertainment system 100 and/or an interactive menu of the availablefile libraries, including files available for downloading and/or filespreviously downloaded to the personal entertainment system 600A in themanner set forth above.

Once the user has made his selection and, as necessary, entered hispayment and/or authorization information, the personal entertainmentsystem 600A can download the selected files. The audio system 630 andthe video system 640 of the personal entertainment system 600A arerespectively configured to present an audio portion and a video portionof the files. In the manner described above with reference to FIG. 4A,the personal entertainment system 600A can provide additionalfunctionality for controlling the presentation of the files. Forexample, the input system 610 can be configured to rewind, fast forward,and/or pause the presentation the files. The input system 610 likewisecan include a volume control, mixing, equalization, and/or mutingfunctions and/or can perform general file management functions, such astransferring and/or deleting one or more of the files and can provide afile directory to facilitate organization of the files. As desired, theinput system 610 can provide file editing functionality.

In the manner described above regarding the interface audio system 430(shown in FIG. 4A), the audio system 630 can include a speaker systemand one or more audio communication ports (not shown). The audiocommunication ports can include one or more audio output ports, audioinput ports, and/or microphone ports. The audio portion of the selectedfile thereby can be audibly presented via the speaker system and/or asecondary speaker system, such as a set of head phones, which is coupledwith the audio output port. The video system 640 can have a displaysystem (not shown) in the manner described above regarding the interfacevideo system 440 (shown in FIG. 4A). The video system 640 can visuallypresent the video portion of the selected file and can be configured tovisually present graphical information and/or textual information. Themanner by which the video portion of the selected file is processedand/or visually presented preferably is controllably via the inputsystem 610.

The processing system 620 can receive and process instructions providedby the input system 610 and/or the communication signals 710 provided bya database system 200 (shown in FIG. 1) and provide the communicationsignals 710 to the database system 200 in the manner described abovewith reference to the interface processing system 420 (shown in FIG.4A). The memory system 660 is coupled with, and configured tocommunicate with, the processing system 620 and is configured to receiveand store the selected files downloaded from the database system 200and, under the control of the input system 610, to provide the files tothe audio system 630 and/or the video system 640 for presentation.Preferably comprising a non-volatile memory system, the memory system660 can comprise any suitable type of memory system, including anyelectronic, magnetic, and/or optical storage mediums in the mannerdescribed above regarding the memory system 424 (shown in FIG. 4A). Theinput system 610 preferably is configured to permit files to be addedto, modified, and/or deleted from the memory system 660.

Advantageously, the memory system 660 is configured to retain the fileseven if the personal entertainment system 600A is disconnected from theuser interface 400C. The files therefore can be presented via thepersonal entertainment system 600A even when the personal entertainmentsystem 600A is no longer in communication with the entertainmentapparatus 300 (shown in FIG. 1) and/or the database systems 200 (shownin FIG. 1). Therefore, if the entertainment apparatus 300 is installedin a vehicle 800 (shown in FIGS. 7A-B), for example, a passenger in thevehicle 800 can download the selected files during travel. Once stored,the files can be retained in the memory system 660 of the personalentertainment system 600A, which can be disconnected from theentertainment apparatus 300. The passenger thereby can view the files atany time, including after disembarking the vehicle 800 once travel iscompleted, by removing the personal entertainment system 600A from thevehicle 800.

The user interface 400D shown in FIG. 6B includes a personalentertainment system 600B that is coupled with the user interface 400Dvia a wireless communication system 700B. Being provided in the mannerdescribed above with regard to the personal entertainment system 600A(shown in FIG. 6A), the personal entertainment system 600B includes aninput system 610, an audio system 630, a video system 640, a memorysystem 660, and/or a communication port 650B, each being coupled, andconfigured to communicate, via a processing system 620. Thecommunication port 650B of the personal entertainment system 600B isconfigured to communicate with a communication port 450B of the userinterface 400D. As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the communication port 650Bof the personal entertainment system 600B can be removably coupled withthe communication port 450B of the user interface 400D via the wirelesscommunication system 700B. The personal entertainment system 600B andthe user interface 400D thereby are configured to exchange communicationsignals 710.

By coupling the personal entertainment system 600B with the userinterface 400D, the input system 610 can communicate instructions to theentertainment apparatus 300 (shown in FIG. 1) in the manner describedabove with reference to the personal entertainment system 600A (shown inFIG. 6A). As a result, the user can employ the input system 610 toaccess the available database systems 200 (shown in FIG. 1), to selectone or more files from the available file libraries, and/or to controlthe presentation of the selected files. In the manner described above,the personal entertainment system 600B is advantageously configured toretain the files even if the personal entertainment system 600B isdisconnected from the user interface 400D. The files therefore can bepresented via the personal entertainment system 600B even when thepersonal entertainment system 600B is no longer in communication withthe entertainment apparatus 300 (shown in FIG. 1) and/or the databasesystems 200 (shown in FIG. 1).

The entertainment apparatus 300 (shown in FIG. 1) can be installed in awide variety of vehicles 800, such as an automobile, a bus, an aircraft,a boat, or a locomotive of any kind. FIG. 7A illustrates theentertainment system 100 with the entertainment apparatus 300 beinginstalled in an automobile 800A. As shown in FIG. 7A, an antenna system312 is mounted on the automobile 800A and is configured to exchangecommunication signals 510 with a database system 200B via acommunication system 500B in the manner set forth above with referenceto FIG. 2B. The antenna system 312 is coupled with a transceiver system314, which can receive and process the communication signals 510 andwhich is configured to provide the processed communication signals 510to a computer system 320 in the manner discussed above. The transceiversystem 314 likewise can receive and process the communication signals510 provided by the computer system 320 and can provide the processedcommunication signals 510 to the antenna system 312. The computer system320, in turn, is configured to communicate with one or more userinterfaces 400 via a distribution system 330.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the user interfaces 400 can be associated withseats 810 in the automobile 800A. For example, a driver seat 810A isprovided with a user interface 400 that is associated with a firstinterface group 400′; whereas, passenger seats 810B include userinterfaces 400 that are associated with a second interface group 400″.In the manner discussed with regard to FIG. 5, the functionality of theuser interfaces 400 in the first interface group 400′ can differ fromthe functionality of the user interfaces 400 in the second interfacegroup 400″. For example, since the driver needs to pay attention to theroad, the user interface 400 associated with the first interface group400′ likely does not include an interface video system 440 (shown inFIG. 4A); whereas, the user interfaces 400 in the second interface group400″ can include interface video systems 440. Similarly, the inputsystem 410 (shown in FIG. 4A) for the user interface 400 in the firstinterface group 400′ can be configured to mute the interface audiosystems 430 (shown in FIG. 4A) for each of the user interfaces 400 inthe automobile 800A.

As desired, the entertainment apparatus 300 of the entertainment system100 likewise can be installed in an aircraft 800B as illustrated in FIG.7B. As shown in FIG. 7B, an antenna system 312 is mounted on the outerfuselage of the aircraft 800B and is configured to exchangecommunication signals 510 with a database system 200B via acommunication system 500B in the manner set forth above with referenceto FIG. 2B. The antenna system 312 is coupled with a transceiver system314, which can receive and process the communication signals 510 andwhich is configured to provide the processed communication signals 510to a computer system 320 in the manner discussed above. The transceiversystem 314 likewise can receive and process the communication signals510 provided by the computer system 320 and can provide the processedcommunication signals 510 to the antenna system 312.

The computer system 320 also is coupled with a database system 200A. Thedatabase system 200A is provided in the manner described above withreference to FIG. 2A and is disposed within the aircraft 800B. Beingconfigured to communicate with the database system 200A in the mannerdescribed above, the computer system 320 is configured to exchangecommunication signals 510 with the database system 200A via adistribution system 330. Thereby, the computer system 320 cancommunicate with, and download one or more selected files from, thedatabase system 200A and the database system 200B.

The distribution system 330 likewise couples the computer system 320with one or more user interfaces 400. As shown in FIG. 7B, the userinterfaces 400 can be associated with seats 810 in the aircraft 800B.For purposes of illustration, the seats 810 in the aircraft 800B aredivided into three interface groups. Seats 810A comprise seats for theflight crew; whereas, seats 810B comprise passenger seats. The passengerseats 810B are further divided into first class passenger seats 810B′and coach class passenger seats 810B″, which include user interfaces 400and are respectively associated with first and second interface groups400′, 400″. The flight crew seats 810A also include user interfaces 400that are associated with a third interface group 400′″.

As was discussed above, the functionality of the user interfaces 400 inthe three interface groups 400′, 400″, and 400′″ can differ. In themanner set forth above with reference to FIG. 7A, the user interfaces400 provided on the flight crew seats 810A likely does not include aninterface video system 440 (shown in FIG. 4A); whereas, the userinterfaces 400 for the passenger seats 810B can include interface videosystems 440. The input system 410 (shown in FIG. 4A) for the userinterfaces 400 provided on the flight crew seats 810A can be configuredto mute the interface audio systems 430 (shown in FIG. 4A) for each ofthe user interfaces 400 in the aircraft 800B.

Further, the functionality of the user interfaces 400 for the firstclass passenger seats 810B′ can differ from the functionality of theuser interfaces 400 for the coach class passenger seats 810B″. In themanner discussed above regarding FIG. 5, the user interfaces 400associated the first class passenger seats 810B′ can, for example,access premium content that is not available to the user interfaces 400associated the coach class passenger seats 810B″. The user interfaces400 associated the coach class passenger seats 810B″ likewise canrequire a fee to be paid prior to permitting access to the entertainmentapparatus 300; whereas, the user interfaces 400 associated the firstclass passenger seats 810B′ may be able to access the entertainmentapparatus 300E without requiring payment of the fee.

With reference to FIGS. 7A-B, it will be appreciated that theentertainment system 100 can be configured to download and present filesthat relate to the destination of the vehicle 800. For example,passengers can download files that provide information relating to hotelaccommodations or a map of the destination city. If the destination isan airport terminal, files comprising information, such as arrival anddeparture times and gate information, for other flights may bedownloaded to assist the passenger with making his connecting flight orwith meeting others who are arriving at the airport terminal ondifferent flights.

FIGS. 8A-D illustrate various configurations for the user interface 400(shown in FIG. 4A) when the entertainment apparatus 300 (shown inFIG. 1) is installed in a vehicle 800. The user interfaces 400 includean input system 410, an interface audio system 430 (shown in FIG. 4A),and an interface video system 440 (shown in FIG. 4A). Turning to theuser interface 400 shown in FIG. 8A, the interface video system 440 hasa display system 444 for visually presenting information from theentertainment apparatus 300. The illustrated display system 444 isprovided as one or more overhead display systems 444A. The input system410 is provided on an armrest 820 of the seats 810 as shown in FIG. 8A.The seats 810 are shown as comprising seats 810A and seats 810B, and theuser interfaces 400 for the seats 810A, 810B are respectively associatedwith first and second first interface groups 400′, 400″. Havingdifferent levels of functionality, the input system 410 for the seats810A include functionality 410A, which functionality is not provided onthe input system 410 for the seats 810B.

The interface audio system 430 illustrated in FIG. 8A includes a speakersystem 434 for audibly presenting information from the entertainmentapparatus 300. The speaker system 434 can comprise one or more overheadspeakers 434A and/or one or more speaker systems disposed within theseats 810 of the vehicle 800. Within the seats 810, the speaker systems434 can be provided in any suitable manner, including, for example, as aspeaker system 434B in the headrest 840 of the seat 810 and/or in thebase 850 of the seat 810. In the manner discussed above with referenceto FIG. 4A, the interface audio system 430 likewise can include one ormore audio communication ports, such as an audio output port 436, foraudibly presenting information. The audio output ports 436 can beprovided, for example, on the armrest 820 of the seats 810 as shown inFIG. 8A.

The display system 444 of the user interface 400 shown in FIG. 8Bincludes one or more overhead display systems 444A provided in themanner discussed above with reference to FIG. 8A as well as one or moreseatback display systems 444B being coupled with a back surface 860 ofthe seatback 830. The input system 410 likewise can include be providedwith functionality 410A that is accessible via the armrest 820 of theseats 810 and/or functionality 410B that is provided on the back surface860 of the seatback 830 as shown in FIG. 8B. As desired, the seatbackdisplay systems 444B can be provided substantially separately from, orin combination with, the functionality 410B. The seatback displaysystems 444B, for example, can comprise touch screens to provide thefunctionality 410B on the seatback 830.

In contrast to the seats 810 shown in FIG. 8A, the seats 810 in FIG. 8Bare not divided into interface groups 400′, 400″ and have substantiallythe same level of functionality. As such, the input systems 410 for theseats 810 both include functionality 410A. Being provided in the mannerdiscussed above with reference to FIG. 8A, the speaker system 434 inFIG. 8B includes one or more overhead speakers 434A. No speaker systems4343 are shown as being disposed in the seats 810 in FIG. 8B. Theinterface audio system 430 likewise has one or more audio communicationports, such as an audio output port 436, which are provided on thearmrest 820 of the seats 810.

FIG. 8C illustrates a user interface 400 with a display system 444 thatincludes one or more seatback display systems 444B and with an inputsystem 410 that is provided on the armrest 820 of the seats 810, eachbeing provided in the manner discussed above with reference to FIG. 8B.The interface audio system 430 of the user interface 400 is shown ashaving one or more audio communication ports, such as an audio outputport 436, which are provided on the armrest 820 of the seats 810. Foraudio information to be audibly presented by the user interface 400 ofFIG. 8C, a peripheral device (not shown), such as a set of head phones,is coupled with the audio output port 436.

The user interface 400 of FIG. 8D is shown as including a personalentertainment system 600. As illustrated in FIG. 8D, the personalentertainment system 600 is removably coupled with the user interface400 via a communication port 450 that is provided by the input system410. Although user interface 400 provides one or more seatback displaysystems 444B, information from the entertainment apparatus 300 can bevisually presented via a video system 640 of the personal entertainmentsystem 600. The personal entertainment system 600 likewise includes aninput system 610, which can be used to provide instructions to theentertainment apparatus 300 in the manner discussed above. Similarly,information from the entertainment apparatus 300 can be audiblypresented via an audio system 630 of the personal entertainment system600.

Although the coupling between the personal entertainment system 600 andthe user interface 400 is illustrated as a wired connection, a wirelessconnection can be employed to couple the personal entertainment system600 and the user interface 400. In a preferred embodiment, for example,the entertainment apparatus 300 as installed in the vehicle 800 cancomprise a hot spot. The hot spot can be provided as a wireless localarea network (WLAN) of any kind, including a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi)network in accordance with Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers (IEEE) Standard 802.11 and/or a wireless metropolitan-areanetwork (MAN), which also is known as WiMax Wireless Broadband, inaccordance with IEEE Standard 802.16. Thereby, upon entering the vehicle800, the personal entertainment system 600 can automatically establishcommunications with the entertainment apparatus 300, and communicationswith the entertainment apparatus 300 can automatically terminate whenthe personal entertainment system 600 is removed from the vehicle 800.

In the manner discussed above, the personal entertainment system 600 isadvantageously configured to retain the files downloaded via theentertainment apparatus 300 even if the personal entertainment system600 is disconnected from the user interface 400. The files therefore canbe presented via the personal entertainment system 600 even when thepersonal entertainment system 600 is disconnected from the communicationport 450. Therefore, if a passenger in the vehicle 800 downloadsselected files during travel, the files can be stored and retained bythe personal entertainment system 600. The passenger thereby can viewthe files at any time, including after disembarking the vehicle 800 oncetravel is completed, by removing the personal entertainment system 600from the vehicle 800.

The disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternativeforms, and specific examples thereof have been shown by way of examplein the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should beunderstood, however, that the disclosure is not to be limited to theparticular forms or methods disclosed, but to the contrary, thedisclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the claims.

1. A vehicle information system suitable for installation aboard apassenger vehicle, comprising: a headend system for communicating with alocal content source for providing a first content library associatedwith a first passenger seat group within the passenger vehicle and aremote content source including a second content library associated witha second passenger seat group within the passenger vehicle; a firstportable media device associated with the first passenger seat group forpresenting a first content catalog of first content files available fromthe first content library and for receiving a selected first contentfile from the first content library; and a second portable media deviceassociated with the second passenger seat group for presenting a secondcontent catalog of second content files available from the secondcontent library, said headend system verifying that a content rating ofa selected second content file satisfies a predetermined contentstandard and enabling said second portable media device to receive theverified second content file from the second content library, whereinthe second content library is different from the first content libraryand is not available to said first portable media device.